Experiences with new Ford SD

Joined
Jan 20, 2020
Messages
23
Location
Kansas
Looking for anyone who's towed or towing with the new Ford Super Duty and the 10 speed transmission! Does it impact your fuel mileage or do you experience a lot up shifting or down shifting, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain. All feedback tips, recommendations and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
We have a 2020 Ford F-350 Diesel with the 10 speed transmission. Although we've only driven it with the trailer a few hundred miles, I am super happy with it. I don't find that it does an inordinate amount of shifting. I'm not sure what you're meaning about fuel mileage. We drove the truck to Southern California to visit family and got 20.1 MPG. When we towed our Solitude 2930RL last weekend, we got just over 10 MPG. I was a little disappointed but not particularly surprised since we were towing about 14,000 pounds! The other thing I like about the combination of the diesel and transmission is we can accelerate up hills until we're going entirely too fast to be safe (not that I make a practice of doing that). We also use the exhaust brake all the time and it works great. If you have other specific questions, I would be happy to try answer them for you. I would buy this truck again without hesitation.
 
...do you experience a lot up shifting or down shifting, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain.

I don't notice the shifting at all. It's a very smooth transmission. The powertrain in my 2020 F-350 is noticeably more powerful than my 2019 F-350. I think it's a combination of slightly more power and more gears to keep the engine at the correct RPM for max output. I've towed over the Cascade pass in Oregon and the Grapevine in California a couple times and the truck is awesome. Gobs of power and runs cool even on hot summer days. Mileage on the highway empty is around 22mpg. Towing my 15,000lb Solitude it averages around 11.5mpg.
 
Thanks very much for the response. I appreciate it very much. I'm looking at possibly purchasing one and wanted feedback from someone who actually has towed with one.
 
Good post. I just went from an AISIN Cummins to a 21 Ford

First tow will be to denver in a week or so. Plenty of hills to work out the details on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have had mine for nearly a year. Got 9000 miles and nearly all of that is towing either a fiver or gooseneck trailer to and from Colorado and over Raton Pass. Previously towed the same route with a '16 SD 6.7. 10 speed tranny and more hp/torque is great. I get 1 to 1.5 mpg better towing (and I tow at 70-75 mph) than the older truck. I can drive it unloaded from CO to TX driving 5 over the speed limit and get over 20 mpg. This truck does better on fuel economy than my F150 does (both unloaded)
 
I have to agree with all the above experiences. I noticed a nice increase in non- towing mpg over the 2019 F350 dually I had prior to the '20 F450 and 10 speed. The 450 / 10 spd combo easily picked up 4-5 mpg on the highway without the trailer and 1-1.5 mpg increase while towing. The new 10 speed in super smooth in operation no matter if you're towing or not. It's pretty cool to watch the gear display go from 1st to 3rd to 5th etc skipping gears as needed. The increased torque rating is very noticeable as well, I used to lockout 6th gear on the 2019 6 speed but now I just leave it in drive and let it do it's thing.
 
I don't notice the shifting at all. It's a very smooth transmission. The powertrain in my 2020 F-350 is noticeably more powerful than my 2019 F-350. I think it's a combination of slightly more power and more gears to keep the engine at the correct RPM for max output. I've towed over the Cascade pass in Oregon and the Grapevine in California a couple times and the truck is awesome. Gobs of power and runs cool even on hot summer days. Mileage on the highway empty is around 22mpg. Towing my 15,000lb Solitude it averages around 11.5mpg.

I just ordered a 2022 F350 SRW CCLB. Was going back and forth over ordering a 3.31 or a 3.55 rear. What rear does your truck have?
 
I ordered the 3.55, I thought maybe It would hold 10th gear a little better on the highway. I have a Momentum 351 right now, but was hopefully going to move up to a Solitude 380fl when the order craziness slows down. also I use the truck about 90% towing the camper so hopefully I made the right choice.
 
Though I've only towed 30 miles to the local GD dealer for some minor maintenance work, it is extremely hilly, up and down, and 70 mph zone.

I kept it at 65, in tow mode, and it was shifting flawlessly in our 2021 F350 DRW crew cab. Matter of fact, it was a little scary because at one point I forgot the 14,000 lbs was back there and found myself hitting 70. A little brake application and I could feel the exhaust brake kick in going down hill (I have it set to auto mode)

Now, coming from a 2000 F350 into the 21st century of new gizmos, it was like sailing Columbus' ship Pinta to a modern day US Destroyer so I was easily impressed.

Ford, Chevy *and maybe dodge* have cut their production lines of HD trucks, as well as light duty due to the chip shortage that apparently won't end this year so you'd better buy soon, if you can find one, and expect the dealers not to be in the dealing mode. Combine that with new corporate taxes going from 22% to 28%, these trucks will not get cheaper anytime soon because those new fed taxes trickle down to the consumer.
 
I've heard that about dealers not moving off MSRP. I deal with a dealer that I have used for 25 years. They gave me invoice on my 22 order. I'm trading my 19 and they are giving me 2k less than what I paid for it, my truck only has 8k miles on it, moving up 3 years for 3k. We tried a locate but couldn't find what I wanted so I ordered. I guess loyalty pays if you find the right dealer and they treat you right.
 
Fly in the soup?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/...-new-vehicle-demonstration-delivery-hold.html

I was in the market for a new truck, but with parts shortages on top of covid, I can wait. The 2022s are already what you can order, but no big changes for them anyway. Maybe 2023 MY is the magic one. Looking at the 7.3 F350 Lariat.
Recently replaced the trans, turbo and water pump in my classic 7.3 anyway, so it should be good for a while. Hopefully the world will get back to normal by then...
 
Last edited:
We have pulled everywhere with ours. Through the rockies, through Texas, over the cascades... trans was as smooth as glass.

Looking for anyone who's towed or towing with the new Ford Super Duty and the 10 speed transmission! Does it impact your fuel mileage or do you experience a lot up shifting or down shifting, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain. All feedback tips, recommendations and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
Looking for anyone who's towed or towing with the new Ford Super Duty and the 10 speed transmission! Does it impact your fuel mileage or do you experience a lot up shifting or down shifting, especially in hilly or mountainous terrain. All feedback tips, recommendations and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Just got back from a short 250 mile round trip last night through mountains and hills.
Great experience! I’m still under 1,000 miles on my truck so no towing yet and gas mileage continues to improve.
I got 18 mpg on highway and around 16 mpg mixed. About 14 mpg in town alone with a heavy foot. I had about 800lbs. of cargo. I drove 72 mph. I worried about empty drive before I bought being too stiff and I was wrong, my 450 rides smooth like a dream unless you encounter excessive rough pavement and then still comfortable. I had tried out a 2018 450 of an individual before I bought and was not overly impressed with the ride, when I discovered he had his tires aired up to maximum pressure on side wall of tires(110 lbs.) instead of yellow sticker on truck of only 80lbs. on drive tires and 90lbs. on steer tires. My wife loved the ride and she is super picky!
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom